10

What is code or proper way to remove a plug receptacle from a wall?

If the plug has 2 black wires and 2 white wires, can the respective wires be connected together with wire nuts and tape then pushed into the wall?

The box is going to be removed and a piece of drywall installed in the hole.

Is this OK?

FreeMan
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Bill
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4 Answers4

33

No, you need to retain the box

First, wire splicing needs to happen inside a box, as per NEC 300.15 if you are in the USA. Second, you need to provide access to what's going on inside the box once the receptacle's gone, as per NEC 314.29. This is done using a blank cover plate over the box.

Also, if you're doing a proper wirenut job (cranked down gorilla-tight), you won't need tape to supplement it.

gerrit
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ThreePhaseEel
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20

In addition to ThreePhaseEel's excellent answer about boxes and splices, there may be an additional problem: Required receptacles.

There are many required receptacles, including (but probably not limited to):

  • One every 12' on most walls in finished spaces. It gets a little tricky around doors and there are various exceptions.
  • One every 4' around kitchen counters. It gets a little tricky around built-in appliances, islands, peninsulas, etc. and there are various exceptions.
  • Two required kitchen circuits. So if you remove the last receptacle of one of the circuits you have a problem.
  • Required bathroom circuit. Can be shared with other bathrooms, but the receptacle has to be there, and within certain parameters - near the sink, but not too close to the tub/shower, etc.
  • Required laundry room circuit.

If all those (and any similar) requirements are not a problem then you can remove the receptacle. However, there are three reasons why you might be removing the receptacle:

  • Aesthetics - paint or wallpaper or whatever the blank plate to match the rest of the wall and you'll hardly notice it.
  • Non-permanent stuff - e.g., movable furniture. No problem.
  • Permanent stuff - e.g., kitchen cabinets, built-in bookcases, etc.

This last situation is a real problem. You can't block a live junction box with permanent fixtures whether it has a receptacle, a switch or just a blank plate. So if that is the situation then you may have to reroute wires/cables, which may be very simple or may be very complicated, depending on the specifics.

manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
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6

One more important thing that hasn't been mentioned

If the plug has 2 black wires and 2 white wires, can the respective wires be connected together with wire nuts and tape then pushed into the wall?

Most likely yes, but if the outlet is split (ie. the metal tab is broken), then you must not connect the wires, and must instead terminate them individually. Split outlets are common on outlets controlled by a light switch, but are possible in other cases as well.

BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft
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4

The only way to do this "properly" is to find the next and previous sockets, and replace the two lengths of wire with a single un-broken run.

This may be as simple as using the existing wire as a draw-cord to pull in the new wire while you pull out the old. However, if anyone's use clamps or cable ties or there's some holes through framing then this might be a challenge.

There may be dry-wall cutting/repair required to find and fix the cable end to end.

Only then can you dry-wall and plaster over the original box location.

Honestly? It is less work to leave the receptacle where it is where possible.

Criggie
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